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C1 expanding polynomials with 4 brackets help

Recently started studying a-levels at sixth form. I am comfortable expanding polynomials when there are two brackets or when being cubed but cannot seem to work out how to expand one with four brackets:

(x+1)(x+4)(x-2)(x-3)

when working out I am getting a different answer to the one given in the book. Please don't just tell me the answer because I am already aware of that it is x^4-15x^2+10x+24 but unsure how to get to this answer. Help with the method would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance! :smile:
Reply 1
Original post by Peace&Love
Recently started studying a-levels at sixth form. I am comfortable expanding polynomials when there are two brackets or when being cubed but cannot seem to work out how to expand one with four brackets:

(x+1)(x+4)(x-2)(x-3)

when working out I am getting a different answer to the one given in the book. Please don't just tell me the answer because I am already aware of that it is x^4-15x^2+10x+24 but unsure how to get to this answer. Help with the method would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance! :smile:


Multiply the first 2 brackets
Multiply the second 2 brackets

You now have 2 quadratics
Multiply those
Original post by TenOfThem
Multiply the first 2 brackets
Multiply the second 2 brackets

You now have 2 quadratics
Multiply those



This is the method I tried and got the answer: X^4 -2x^3-5x^2-2x+24

Where am i going wrong?
Reply 3
Original post by Peace&Love
This is the method I tried and got the answer: X^4 -2x^3-5x^2-2x+24

Where am i going wrong?


No idea

Can you show your working

What were your 2 quadratics
What were the 9 expansion terms

I get what the book gets
Original post by TenOfThem
No idea

Can you show your working

What were your 2 quadratics
What were the 9 expansion terms

I get what the book gets


my two quadratics are x^2 + 3x +4 and x^2-5x +6
Reply 5
Original post by Peace&Love
my two quadratics are x^2 + 3x +4 and x^2-5x +6


There is your error
Original post by TenOfThem
No idea

Can you show your working

What were your 2 quadratics
What were the 9 expansion terms

I get what the book gets




expansion terms are:

X^4
3X^3
4X^2
-5X^3
-15X^2
-20X
6X^2
18X
24
Original post by TenOfThem
There is your error


Oh, I made an error when multiplying the two brackets so is it:

X^2 + 5x +4?
Reply 8
Original post by Peace&Love
Oh, I made an error when multiplying the two brackets so is it:

X^2 + 5x +4?


yes
Original post by TenOfThem
yes


Thank you for your help. Feel stupid now that such a silly error messed my answer up eventhough my method was correct!

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